THE PIGEONS

THE PIGEONS

Gates Open:

12:00 am

First Race:

2:00 pm

Admission Prices:

€10

Online Ticket Offer:

Track Biography:

The South Westmeath Hunt have a long history of holding a point-to-point meeting spanning over 100-years as far back as the early 1900’s. The point-to-point was originally held in Kilkenny West before being moved to its current location at Listisson, The Pigeons in 1978.

With its central location in the heart of Ireland, The Pigeons point-to-point is one of the most accessible tracks in Ireland with excellent road links from all corners of the country right up to the entrance gate. The course itself is a mile long per lap and regarded as one of the real staying tracks on the fixture list.

As a real mainstay of the Irish point-to-point fixture list for many decades, The Pigeons has been lucky enough to have played host to many future racing stars at an early point of their career, with the likes of Wicked Crack, Killeaney, Monsieur Monet and Champers On Ice all winners at our point-to-point.

In recent times, Champers On Ice was sold for no less than £205,000 at a public auction which took place at the Cheltenham Festival just a week after winning as a young horse here at The Pigeons and he has since gone on to achieve Graded success for his new connections. This highlights the possibility of you being able to witness the next future star of the sport by coming racing with us.

The Pigeons Point-to-Point Races

Listisson,

The Pigeons,

Athlone,

Co. Westmeath

Contact Details

Susan Scott - 0872688145

How To Get There

By Road

Take the N4 out of Dublin, take the N6 from Kinnegad, in Athlone take the N55 North towards Ballymahon and watch for a sign for the course on the right hand side. The Pigeons is located 130km west of Dublin and 100km east of Galway.

Sun 24th March

LOUGHREA

Sat 30th March

PORTRUSH

Sun 31st March

MONKSGRANGE

A Day At The Races

We are delighted to be able to provide free parking which is ideally located in the centre of the course on top of a hill which allows spectators to have a clear view right around the track without even having to leave their vehicle. This also allows the public to stay dry in their car without missing out on any of the action if the weather takes a turn for the worst.

The excellent viewing position it offers racegoers from their vehicle, ensures it is the ideal location to bring your own picnic and base yourself from the boot of the car. Two of the fences are located beside the car park which provides you with a chance to get close to the action during a race.

Looking to keep updated with on-track racing which is also taking place on same day in Britain or Ireland? Well you won’t miss a thing. Head over the bookmaker’s ring where all of the day’s off-course horse racing, be it at Leopardstown or Cheltenham, will be shown and you can also bet on the away action alongside our own races.

As we are an outdoor event that only happens once a year, many of our facilities are only temporary which adds to the real character of the event. We do of course have a number of portaloos, catering options and much more to ensure you have a very pleasant experience with us.

In between races, spectators can avail of the variety of catering options that we have on offer.

Our food tent is located beside the parade ring which means you don’t have to venture too far from the action to enjoy the social side of point-to-pointing.

You will be drawn in by the smell of hot beef and pulled pork rolls that are made on the day by our team of volunteers. To accompany your roll we provide a wide choice of salads priced reasonably to provide extra fuel during your day at the races. There is also a choice of soup and homemade sandwiches on offer supplied by our committee members.

If hot food isn’t what you are looking for, we also have a delicious selection of cakes, buns and other tempting sweet treats that are made fresh by our hard-working committee members.

Yes, we welcome visitors to bring their own picnics as our parking inside the center of the course offers the perfect location for a picnic. We also have a range of catering options on course if you fancy picking-up something tasty on the go.

A day at The Pigeons point-to-point races is the ideal day out for all the family in the heart of the Irish countryside.

One of the real treats of racing at The Pigeons, is just how close racegoers can get to the action. Watch the horses being saddled up by their trainers before making your way to the parade ring where the horses, jockeys and connections gather to discuss their pre-race tactics.

Selected your fancy for the race? Well head over to the betting ring where our friendly bookmakers are waiting to take your bet for the race and now it’s time watch the race itself.

Whether you choose to view the race from your car in our perfectly positioned car park on a hill at the centre of the course, or right in front of the winning post, why not also stand right beside one of the two fences in the home straight which gives you the perfect position to get up-close to the speed and excitement of these thoroughbred horses in full flight.

Our younger racegoers are at the heart of our race day with free admission for children under 16 ensuring it is an inexpensive location for Mum and Dad to bring the whole family out on a Sunday afternoon.

Baby changing facilities are available and if you ever need a bottle heated then please just ask a committee member.

The Pigeons course is only a ten-minute drive from the picturesque Lough Ree Portlick Campsite, located at the lake, which is widely regarded as one of the finest facilities of its kind in Ireland and provides a list of activities including kayaking, archery, a waterslide and a zip line if you want to make a weekend of your time with us in Westmeath.

The Gigginstown House Stud colours came close to claiming this race in 2016 with narrow runner-up Eviscerating, and one of their potential representatives in this years renewal, ASSEMBLE, is the only horse in here with previous experience. The six-figure store purchase led for a long way before losing out to Asterion Forlonge, a horse who subsequently sold for 290,000 at the Cheltenham sales, over the shorter 2m 4f trip at Oldtown last month.

THE THREE JOLLY PIGEONS, THE VILLAGER & GROGANS OF GLASSON 5yo+ Mares Maiden

For Certified Hunters aged 5 years old and upwards, Mares only, maidens at starting, the property of subscribers to any Hunt in Ireland.

Having been forced to settle for the runners-up spot on no fewer than three occasions, the Vincent Carroll-trained BERBORU would be a deserving winner of this, having bumped into a smart looking rival at Punchestown on the latest of those promising runs. Portobello Wedding enters the race in top form having only been denied by a narrow margin in a big field contest at Tyrella in January, whilst Devitosredrobin ran well for a long way at Punchestown before unshipping at the last on her debut.

HUGH J.CAMPBELL & CO.SOLICITORS 5yo Geldings Maiden

For Certified Hunters aged 5 years old, Geldings only, maidens at starting, the property of subscribers to any Hunt in Ireland.

John Paul Brennan saddled the winner of a similar race at Tinahely last Sunday and his OSCAR ACADEMY catches the eye here. The Oscar gelding finished fourth in a Lingstown four-year-old maiden last March that has worked out particularly well, with the first two home in that race holding entries at the upcoming Cheltenham Festival, including Flawless Escape, favourite for the Martin Pipe Hurdle. Classic Escape was going well when coming down two-out at Kirkistown, whilst Arctic Road, Hadmeathello, Connard, Broadway Star, Old Rascals and Ratfacemcdougall are all very capable sorts in their own right.

O'ROARKE BROTHERS S.C.S.I Confined Hunt Winners

For Certified Hunters aged 4 years old and upwards, the property of subscribers holding a valid Hunter Certificate to the South Westmeath Hunt, which have not won a race under the Rules of Racing or Steeplechasing in any Country other than Point to Point Steeplechases. No Penalties.

Two runs in open company in recent weeks will have left DIDARRO spot-on to defend his title in this race from 12 months ago. The Tidaro gelding, who is owned, bred and trained by Brian Dillon, will look to become the first horse since Jack Monday in 2008 and 2009 to win back-to-back renewals of the race. The similarly Tidaro-sired Our Harry finished fourth on this card last year and could be the main danger, whilst track recruit Glacial Article could have his first start over obstacles, having run in three bumpers.

WALDERSTOWN SERVICE STATION Open 4yo + (4yo Mdns Excl)

For Certified Hunters aged 4 years old and upwards, the property of subscribers to any Hunt in Ireland. No Penalties. Mares allowed 5lbs. 4-y-o Maidens excluded.

Stable companions SYDNEY PAGET and Samanntom are both winners this season, with preference for the former if he was to run here, as he goes in search of an eleventh victory between the flags. The typically consistent Cavite Beta, a winner at Dowth Hall in the autumn, can bounce back from a disappointing run at Kirkistown. Whilst Sambremont, Vinnie Luck, Bothair Clei and the progressive Longhouse Music are others for the shortlist.

SEAN DUNNING, VICTUALLER AND FRANK DALY & ASSOCAITES 6yo+ Maiden

For Certified Hunters aged 6 years old and upwards only, maidens at starting, the property of subscribers to any Hunt in Ireland. Mares allowed 5lbs.

PUTHIMINYOURPOCKET has to be considered as very unlucky not to have made a winning debut at Tallow last month, as he was badly hampered at the second-last, before powering home late, and only losing out by half-a-length at the line. He would have to be strongly fancied to gain compensation here. The improving Newlands Cross and Krisquin, a horse who took a big step forward at Tyrella recently, would appear to be the two obvious alternatives.

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